Bordered on the east by the Connecticut River and on the west by Lake Champlain, Vermont has many world-class fishing opportunities. The most popular fish among Vermont’s anglers are bass, walleye, and trout. Fishing in Vermont also means you might catch other types of fish, such as carp, freshwater drum, and bowfin. On your way to your destination, take Vermont’s scenic byways with stunning views of the Green Mountains. If you’re 15 or older, be sure to get a fishing license for your outing.
Fishing Spots in Vermont
Here are some of the best fishing spots in Vermont. You’ll find plenty of trout fishing in the state, along with a variety of other fish to catch.
Lake Bomoseen
Lake Bomoseen is in southwestern Vermont near the city of Rutland. The north and south ends feature excellent shallow-water habitats for panfish and pike. Locals prefer the point at the lake’s southeast corner, where deeper water is good for bass fishing. The lake is in Lake Bomoseen State Park, which has a beach for swimming and offers boat rentals.
You can also camp at the state park. There are no hookups, but there is drinking water available, along with a dump station, showers, and flush toilets.
Silver Lake
Silver Lake State Park’s proximity to Woodstock and other central Vermont sightseeing destinations makes it an ideal stop for family vacations. The lake’s submerged vegetation, rocky points, and overhanging trees provide shady ambush points for predatory fish to grab a meal. Locals favor a basic nightcrawler and bobber rig for catching largemouth bass and pike.
Button Bay
Button Bay is on a bluff in Ferrisburgh, Vermont, along Lake Champlain. The area around the bay features diverse fish habitats ranging from shallow coves to underwater cliffs. You can hook bass, pike, and panfish where the shore juts out into the lake across from Button Island. Button Bay State Park features RV sites that overlook Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains to the west.
There is camping at the state park, but there are no hookups. You’ll get access to a dump station, showers, flush toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings.
Grand Isle State Park
Grand Isle State Park is on South Hero Island in Lake Champlain and accessible by causeways on the north and south ends. Anglers fishing from shore may encounter bass, pike, bowfin, and panfish. Locals prefer a topwater plug to trigger explosive reaction strikes from aggressively feeding fish. Deeper offshore habitats favored by lake trout and salmon are also good fishing spots. Proximity to Burlington and Montreal makes Grand Isle popular with people who fish and camp in Vermont.
You can camp at the state park, where there are water and electric hookups. The campground also has restrooms, showers, sand volleyball, a horseshoe pit, and access to the lake’s beach.
Wilgus State Park
The Connecticut River habitat around Wilgus State Park consists of underwater logs, bridge pilings, and gravel bars. These habitats provide predatory fish with great places to ambush minnows that come down the river. Locals use the water current to float bait close to fish hideouts and snag some dinner. Common catches in this river are bullhead, chain pickerel, bass, and yellow perch. The nearby Pinnacle Trail hike provides a scenic vista of the Connecticut River Valley.
Lake Elmore
Lake Elmore State Park offers shallow water fishing, with gradual slopes into deeper water. The park rents canoes, kayaks, or boats for anglers interested in reaching the deeper waters. You might find northern pike or bass in those deeper areas of the lake, and yellow perch are particularly abundant. Elmore Mountain, which rises from the lake’s shore, is a prominent feature in the area. The town of Stowe, the Rock Art Brewery, and the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory are all close to the park.
Camping is available at the state park as well. There are no hookups, but you’ll find a playground, showers, a horseshoe pit, a dump station, and a snack bar.
Gifford Woods
At the base of Mount Killington and Pico Peak, Gifford Woods State Park is a favorite of locals for its streams and the park’s pond. Kent Pond is shallow and clear with a mixed bottom of sand, silt, and broken rock supporting habitat for bass and perch. A fly fishing rig is effective to hook wild trout as they work their way up Kent Brook. The park is a popular destination during the fall foliage season thanks to its dramatic autumn colors and the nearby charming town of Killington.
Lake St. Catherine
The main lake area in Lake St. Catherine State Park features rocky bluff walls next to deep water, creating good fishing spots to target large- and smallmouth bass, northern pike, and panfish. Locals prefer to use topwater lures to entice crappie and bass in shallower parts of the lake. Devils Bowl Speedway in West Haven is a short ride from the park.
Where to Fish in Vermont
Trout are the most popular fish among Vermont’s anglers; nearly every small stream throughout the state is excellent habitat for this native species. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department stocks larger streams and ponds with trout each spring. Several of the state’s lakes and their tributaries, including Lake Dunmore, Lake Champlain, and Lake Memphremagog, are good fishing spots for landlocked salmon and walleye. In the spring and early summer, panfish, perch, and bass are active in most bodies of water in the state. Several fish species, such as pickerel and pike, are active under the ice in the winter, so any frozen lake or pond in Vermont can be an excellent destination for ice fishing.
Camping and Fishing in Vermont
Camping and fishing in Vermont is a great way to enjoy the Green Mountains. The fishing spots mentioned above are all in state parks with RV sites, so you will not have to travel far to fish after setting up camp. Before visiting, you may want to explore the “Let’s Go Fishing Program,” a network of volunteer instructors who teach youth and adults about fishing, organized by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
Before going camping or fishing in Vermont, gather the necessities for mountainous terrain when you pack. In the spring, summer, and fall, warm days in Vermont will often turn into chilly nights; bringing clothes appropriate for various temperatures will make your stay more comfortable. For a winter visit, make sure to outfit yourself and your RV for freezing weather. Finally, before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for more tips on fishing.
With an RV rental, your fishing trip will be a little more comfortable! After you’ve spent a long day fishing, grill up your catch right at your campsite. Then, retire inside to enjoy all the comforts of home on board your RV. Plan your perfect fishing getaway with an RV rental from RVshare.
